Let Me Introduce You~An Interactive Story

[AngelQueen]

*squeals right along with Minerva and Maggie* ;D ;D ;D

Oh, that Minerva! Seducing him with chocolate cake!! Smart move! *giggles and makes a note of it for future reference*

So, both Maggie and Minerva got their men, though what Maggie sees in hers I, like Minerva, have yet to discover. We had another appearance from the adorable Fawkes, and Minerva seems quite excited about her new project.

And yet again, I am faced with an almost impossible decision. Meet Minerva's folks, who are probably going to be delighted about her new project, but a little wary about Albus the Older Man *is bewildered as to why this should be so*. On the other hand, we can meet good old Aberforth, who could no doubt tell quite a few stories of Albus' youth, when he was no doubt neck-deep in trouble like almost any other Gryffindor. How can one choose?!

*paces and considers*

*paces and considers some more*

Aw... alright, let's go talk to Aberforth. But if he causes problems, I'll... I'll... I'll hire someone to clean the Hog's Head! Yeah! That's exactly what I'll do! It'll totally ruin the image he wants to project in the place.

Well, I'll either do that or I'll hide his goats. Option B for me! ;D

Again, wonderful job! Can't wait for more!

AQ

[Rikki]

Wonderful new chapter. ;D I just loved it. Sooo... I guess, I'll settle for A this time.

Hugs, Rikki

[Sola]

Ahhh...I go for B...Aberforth talking to Min could be fun...

Anyway...

Sola

[QuillofMinerva]

Yayeeeee bold Minerva! I liked this chapter a lot and this this story is fab, you are both doing a great job so thank you for sharing this with us.

Oh you know how much I love Aberforth, Ang so you know I am going to vote for B!

Clayre x

[Lady Lavendar]

Wow! This story keeps getting better and better!! I have to vote fOR A! Keep up the good work ladies!!

LL

[ginger newts]

Oh yay for bold Minerva, I liked both letters very much and am very happy they're going out and going to be working together. I don't know how to vote for the next chapter...I guess I'll say A, I like a nice family "disagreement."

[Kacie]

I had to flip a coin and A won.

[tayryn]

loved the way Minerva asked Albus out!! that was inspired!!

as for the next part... ain't no question...

A!!!!

[Karlynne]

Minerva knows the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and to use actual sweets was promising. The choice was hard but I am going to say A because I wouldn't want things to go too smoothly for them.

[Kimberly]

I choose B. I am enjoying this a lot. Kim

[DumbledoresKitten]

*happy goofy grin on face*

An update woo-hoo. I absolutely love this story and the fact that there is group participation. You two have done a great job with this.

Awhhh! Albus is too shy to ask Min out. That is soo adorable!
Some of the lines in this chapter! . . . brilliant!

Okay as per usual A, A, A . . . I think i'll go with A. *grins*
sorry but the family aspect just too good to pass up

cat

[Adrasteia]

Wonderful chapter!
And since Aberforth is one of my favourites characters I vote B!

[angeldust]

yay i loved the flirty remarks in both letters

I'm gonna go for B as Aberforth is just fantastic ;D

[Orion's Guard]

Whoa I missed the last one, don't know how... I could have sworn I read it but it seemed unfamiliar.

As much as I like Aberforth, I think I have to pick A becasue I don't think Minerva would be wanting a vacation, and I can see her parents demanding a visit if she has a free few days.

[Toe Expert]

Lovely story!!!


I think I prefer Minerva having fun with Aberforth than having a 'disagreement' with her family.

I vote B!!!

[griseldalafey]

I loved this chapter. I loved how Maggie tricked her into asking Albus on a date and I loved the way Minerva did it.

I adore Aberforth, so option B for me.

[Sensiblyquirky]

Good idea to use cake as a means of asking Albus over. I suppose I choose A. Loving the story.

Christy

[MiniPrincess]

Well Done! I could never have been so forward, ok maybe after a couple of drinks!!
I'm thinking A simply because I remember how stressed I was about telling my parents about my older man (8 years not 80 though!!) Yep... I'll go with A!!

[Krystal]

I think I wil choose B!!

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

exciting by the min lol i have to chose B

[Kandice]

I normally don't vote but this time I will. I choose A

[ArabellaFiggs]

Wow, I like this story and the idea of voting.
I vote B.
Can't wait to know what happens next.

[Kamdra]

Just realized I hadn't voted. I pick A. Kammie

[Tartan Tabby]

Absolutely great story!!! I hope it's not too late for my vote. I'll pick...B

[Hogwarts Duo]

A/N: First of all, we apologize for the longer than usual delay in posting the next chapter. You kept us guessing in which direction the story would go so we actually had to wait until the voting ended before beginning the chapter! The votes were 12 “A’s” and 11 “B’s” with one person voting after the cut off date. As a result, we have decided to work the “Aberforth” option into the next chapter since it would have been a tie vote had we received that vote earlier. Again, thanks to each of you for participating and helping us create this story!

Surprise Visits, Unexpected Directions

By Monday afternoon, Minerva was more excited about her date with Albus, especially after talking to Maggie. The two had managed to exhaust several hours worth of ideas regarding the upcoming event. With the rest of the week still looming ahead of her before their date, Minerva decided to pay her parents a long overdue visit. She worked so hard that she rarely saw as much of them as she should. One thing was for sure though; she still needed to return the official documents accepting the research project to Albus, a thought which made her giddy with anticipation. It has only been a day since she had seen him but already it felt like years.

Pushing her musings of him into the back of her mind until later, she focused on visiting her family and spending some quality time just catching up with them. And it didn’t hurt that she had two pieces of wonderful news to share with them. “So Maggie, what would you say to a few days away in the Highlands?”

“Oh I think it’s a bit bold to take Albus on an overnight trip on the first date but I’m all for making the moves on him before he slips away,” she giggled. “After all, he’s only a man and one that is very interested in you, dearie, so I say go for it.”

“I wasn’t referring to him,” Minerva barked back as she blushed. “I was referring to the two of us.” Minerva shot her friend a warning look but it did no good, as she could sense by the next words out of Maggie’s mouth.

“Min, I do love you but I’m afraid you’re not my type. Besides, it’s a little early to be asking me home to meet your parents.” Maggie sensed from the emerald green eyes staring her down that she had pushed Minerva about as far as she dared. “I’m sorry but you left yourself wide open to that.”

“I am planning to go to my parents for a few days and I thought you might like to visit them since you haven’t seen them in quite a while. But I will just tell my mum and dad that you were too busy lounging about your own home to spend a few days in the country enjoying all that the McGonagall grounds have to offer.”

Maggie realized that this was the moment of truth and the sooner she shared her news with Minerva, the better off she would be. “Min, as much as I’d love to come with you, I’ve made other plans for later this week.” Minerva’s raised eyebrows were the only indication that she wanted to hear more. “I kept my end of the bargain too and I finally got up my nerve to invite Stephen out for dinner.” Maggie paused to let her words filter through Minerva’s mind. “He said yes, Min! And he didn’t even hesitate when I asked,” she practically squealed!

Minerva jumped up from her chair and hugged Maggie tightly. “I’m really happy for you and I hope your date is wonderful.” The two women had been friends long enough to read between the words to get the true meaning of what was being said. Sometimes Minerva could say more with a look or what she chose to omit than what she actually verbalized. That had always been the case with Minerva, even her parents would agree.

“Look, I know you and Stephen didn’t exactly hit it off but I really like him. It may not be a romance for the ages but at least he’s someone with whom I can share a jolly good time with in the here and now.” Maggie looked into Minerva’s eyes and was pleased to see understanding and a true happiness radiating from them.

“In that case, I want to hear all of the details about this wonderful upcoming event. Besides, it might give me some more ideas for my date later in the week. I still haven’t decided what Albus and I should do on our date.”

“I’ve got a few ideas but I think those may have to wait until you’ve been out at least twice more.” Laughter filled Minerva’s house as the women shared a few more moments talking about Maggie’s ideas for dates, much as they had done for Minerva only the day before.

It was late afternoon when Maggie finally left and with a quick swish of her wand, Minerva summoned a few things and placed them carefully into a bag. Making sure that everything at her own home was in order, she eagerly apparated to her beloved childhood home to surprise her parents and to share all of her wonderful news.

When Minerva arrived at home, she noticed that the house seemed unusually dark for this time of day. Although it wasn’t dark outside, the shadows had grown longer and there was some need for a little artificial lighting. At first, she wasn’t sure that they were even home. Walking through the house, Minerva stopped in the kitchen and took an apple from the bowl on the table and proceeded to wander through the downstairs in search of her parents.

“Mum, Dad! Are you home?” Silence was her only reply. She continued through the sitting room and into the library, where it was not unusual to find her father slumped in his favorite wingback chair with a good book, most likely on transfiguration. Minerva smiled as she quickly opened the door to an empty room. Before she had time to consider other locations in the house where her parents might be found, Minerva heard an unusual sound coming from the upstairs. Not one to back down from a confrontation, she whipped out her wand and dashed up the stairs, fearing the worst for her parents.

As she reached the landing at the top of the stairs, she heard her mum cry out in a voice she had never heard before. “Ohhhh Merlin!” It was not the type of cry she had ever heard from her mother’s lips so alarm easily set in as Minerva ran to the upstairs bedroom and threw open the door without pausing to think.

In a thousand years, she would never have been fully prepared for what she saw. No child ever really is and the same can be said for parents. Minerva was stunned to see her mother and father enjoying all the glories of their married life as her father massaged her mother’s breasts with his hands and lips as her mother rocked back and forth to create an exquisite friction between them. “Oh gods Athena, yes,” he cried out in passion as she took him closer to his release. It took a few seconds before her parents realized they had company in the bedroom and another few seconds before Minerva could tell her feet to back her out of the room slowly and to wipe away the image she had just seen.

Quickly making her way back downstairs, Minerva dropped to the couch in the sitting room and immediately began to question why in the name of all things wizard she had not flooed to let them know she was coming. Or why she hadn’t thought that her parents, both healthy and very much in love, might be taking advantage of having the house all to themselves on this beautiful afternoon.

“Um, sorry about that my wee petal but we weren’t expecting company today,” Harold told his daughter as he kissed the top of her head.

“Yes, my darling. We didn’t know you were coming and well, first one thing and then another happened. Well, you don’t want to hear all of that now do you?” Athena placed a soft kiss to Minerva’s reddened cheeks and sat down beside her.

“I am so sorry for barging in on you today. I have a few days off and thought I’d drop in to see you but I suppose I should have owled or flooed first. Rest assured that I won’t make that mistake again,” Minerva said, never taking her eyes from the floor.

“Minerva McGonagall, look at me!” Harold told his daughter in a gentle voice as he lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “You never have to announce your arrival to us. Our doors are always open.” He smiled at her and she returned his smile, one that Athena was sure she inherited from her father. “What you saw this afternoon should not surprise you in the least. Your mother is still as stunning as the day I fell in love with her and besides, you weren’t born in the proverbial cabbage patch, you know.” His dry wit made her laugh out loud, thus breaking the uneasy tension that had overshadowed her arrival.

[Hogwarts Duo]

Athena and Harold shared a knowing look, one born from years of intimate communications and they knew it would take a few minutes for the shock to wear off but eventually their bright and intelligent daughter would emerge, filling their house with joy once more, just as she had done for decades. “So, my dear, what did you do to earn a vacation this week? It’s very unlike you to willingly take a vacation so I must assume that you had a little help,” she teased.

“The long story made short is that my boss, Mrs. Bestingale, felt I needed a vacation so she set me up on a blind date and then insisted I take this week for myself.” Minerva prepared herself for the onslaught of questions she was certain she’d have to answer.

“Oh sweetie that’s wonderful,” Athena squealed with a thousand questions flashing in her azure colored eyes. “I want to hear all about the wonderful man who’s impressed you enough to come home and share it with your wondering parents.”

“Well that’s part of the reason I’m here but I also wanted to tell you about my new job. Actually that’s not entirely accurate. It’s not a job per se but more like the research opportunity of a lifetime,” she said enthusiastically.

“A new job and a new man? My gracious my petal this is a momentous visit! Now, what’s this job and don’t leave out a single detail. We can discuss this man who thinks he’s worthy of my daughter later. Unlike your mother, I am not as easily entertained with glowing praises about the young man interested in my only daughter,” Harold teased Minerva before hugging her tightly.

Minerva spent a full hour detailing the specifics of her new research project, but leaving out one major detail...the name of the man who had offered her the chance to broaden her horizons and to see the ancient scrolls. Her father had asked several probing questions, the most important was the name of the man who had offered Minerva the spot on the research project.

“All in good time Dad! There is still the matter of my upcoming date and I thought you’d be interested in that too,” Minerva quipped with a particular sparkle in her eyes.

“Oh do not mistake my enthusiasm for your new project to mean that I am disinterested in your love life. I expect you to tell me everything about him so I can have my contacts at the ministry investigate his entire family.” Minerva knew, of course that her Dad was most likely teasing but when he learned of the identity of her mystery man, there would be no need for further interrogation or questioning for everything about the life of Albus Dumbledore, good or bad, could be found in the pages of the Daily Prophet.

“I promise to tell you everything about him over dinner. Unless of course you two aren’t hungry in which case I can just pop into town and grab a bite at the local pub. I haven’t had a good fish and chips in weeks.”

“My only daughter finally comes to visit and she actually thinks I’m going to let her go down to the pub for a fish and chips instead of eating a good home cooked meal? That’s nonsense,” Athena informed Harold and Minerva. “Now, you two sit there and discuss this new project and then she’s all mine at dinner. Do you hear me Harold McGonagall?”

An hour later, the reunited McGonagall family sat down to a wonderful meal with all of Minerva’ favorites. “Tell me all about how this amazing mystery man has managed to catch your discerning eyes. Who is he? Where does he work? What does he look like? Not to mention all about your date,” Athena quizzed enthusiastically before even filling her plate.

Minerva shared a knowing look with her father as her mother sat patiently for her answers. “Let’s see, where should I begin?”

“His name would be a nice start,” Harold teased.

“I’ll get to that soon enough. He’s highly intelligent, practically a scholar in the field of transfiguration, Dad. I know you two will have loads to talk about if things progress far enough to bring him here to meet you two.”

“Sounds as if you’ve been thinking ahead my dear. So what’s his name?” Harold asked once more hoping for an answer this time.

“I don’t remember ever seeing a bluer pair of eyes and he’s tall and very lean, not muscular but then again I’ve never been one for those types of men. He’s been a perfect gentleman with me and I think that’s due partly to his upbringing. I know for a fact that he comes from a very prominent family and he’s highly respected in the wizarding world.”

“And his name would be?” her father asked nearly at the end of his rope.

“Sounds like you dreamed him into existence,” Athena added. “Where did he take you on this first date?”

“Unfortunately, he wasn’t exactly my date the first time we went out. He was Maggie’s, but she got along better with my date and vice versa so the evening was spent trying to find ways to get around that little problem. We went to the Starlight Sky that night...”

“The Starlight Sky! He must really have connections to get into that club! Lots of people at work talk about trying to get in there on the weekends. And I’ve heard that it’s a frequent haunt of Albus Dumbledore.” Minerva giggled right before her father once more asked for the man’s name.

“Harold, she’ll tell us his name when she’s ready. Honestly, you’re getting on my nerves and I’m sure Minerva’s too!” Athena scolded.

“Albus Dumbledore,” Minerva said rather proudly. “Your one and only daughter has managed to catch the eye of the most famous wizard of our time and I think he’s rather interested in me.”

Shocked faces met Minerva’s as she looked first from her father then to her mother. Silence reigned and the only sound in the room was the clinking of Athena’s fork hitting the half filled plate as it unceremoniously dropped to the floor with a crash.

“Albus Dumbledore!” Harold practically shouted. “He’s got to be at least 100 years older than you. Not to mention that he’s a renowned womanizer who has a different girl on his arm every time he gets bored.”

“Harold McGonagall! You know that’s not true,” Athena finally spoke. “He’s a wonderful man and I’m happy for our little girl.”

“And he’s only 85 years older than me and for the record I don’t care how much older he is. I’m more interested in how he treats me and I’d think you would be too,” Minerva shouted back. “I thought you’d be happy for me. I may have found the man who looks at me the way you look at Mum and all you care about is his age and his reputation, which by the way I’d like to point out, is based on speculation and sheer gossip heard around the office and those celebrity newspapers who only focus on the negatives! They even dream up nonsense to print if they can’t find something juicy enough to sell their rags!”

Minerva was about to leave when her mother called a truce to the discussion and reprimanded them both for yelling at her dinner table.

[Hogwarts Duo]

With a resigned sign, Minerva retook her seat. She was still fuming as she replaced the napkin she had thrown on the table back on her lap. “Mother, would you please ask my Father to pass the gravy this way?”

Athena forcibly put her recently retrieved fork back on the table. “Now, Minerva I thought we had come to an agreement”

Harold however was not about to let his daughter get away with her impudence. “Athena, you can tell your daughter that if she wants something, she will need to ask me herself. I will not cater to her high temper and stubborn ways.”

As he crossed his arms to make his point, Athena suddenly burst into laughter. “You two should see yourselves. Mirror images of the other. I have never seen another pair more alike and so bent on denying it.”

The affronted pair stood up at the same time, glared at each other before each giving Athena the same look. “I will be in my room.” Minerva stalked off toward the stairs.

“And I will be in my study, should you choose to come to your senses. Both of you!” Harold stormed away, the echo of his boots hitting the floor reverberating throughout the house.

Athena paid them hardly any attention as she finished her meal. After all, it wasn’t the first time her beloved family had fought and she was positive that it would not be the last.

Minerva sat on her bed. It had been a couple of hours since she had fled the dining room and she was feeling a small bit of remorse over her behavior. Not for her father who was being so hard headed but for her mother who had had to put up with the pair of them.

A tentative knock at the door brought Minerva out of her thoughts. “Come in.”

“Hi darling, how are you faring?” Her mother walked into the room and came to sit on her bed.

“Oh, I am fine. I was thinking, perhaps my visit was not such a good idea.”

“Don’t you ever say that again Minerva. We love you dearly and wouldn’t dream of having you leave. Your father can be a bit thick sometimes but it is only out of his overwhelming love for you. He has always been protective of his wee petal.”

Minerva felt tears well in her eyes as she hugged her mother tightly. “I just don’t understand why he can’t be happy for me. It is true that there are hurdles to overcome if I was to be with Albus but his reaction was so vehement. I trust his judgment of people and have always turned to him for advice and his refusal to hear a word on my relationship with Albus hurts.”

The pain in Minerva’s voice caused Athena to draw her only child closer into her embrace. “I know, darling. I know. There are reasons why your father dislikes Albus. They may not be the best reasons but maybe if you knew….”

Athena paused and Minerva looked at her mother questioningly.

“I suppose you would learn sooner or later, especially if Albus is to become a large part of your life.” Athena stood from where she had been sitting and paced the room a few minutes getting her thoughts in order. When she finally sat down in the chair at Minerva’s vanity, she looked very thoughtful.

“You know that your father and I first met at Hogwarts. And you also know that we didn’t actually form a relationship until a few years after graduation. Albus Dumbledore is the reason.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Well, there you have it…the latest chapter in our interactive story. So, what happens next? Your options for the upcoming week are….drum roll please…..

A) Minerva meets Albus in Diagon Alley to return the signed paperwork and they run into Maggie and Stephen on a date

B) Minerva and Athena go to Diagon Alley to return the paperwork to Albus, sparking some interesting results

**Either way, we will work in an appearance by the beloved Aberforth for all of you who voted for option “B” last time and just narrowly missed a tie for this week! Voting on this chapter will end on May 2. Thanks for voting! ;D

[Toe Expert]

OMG!

The plot really thickens! I want to see Minerva going to Diagon Alley with her mother, I want to find out what is going on... OMG I cannot wait another week.

And once again, I vote B!!!


{I hope this time option B wins }

[Orion's Guard]

I must say I was expecting the initial "situation," but it was very well done and quite funny.

Ewwww, did something gross happen?

Yeah B, I don't really want to see the other couple quite yet. Let's get some time between before they interact.

[Jaya]

Geez (my favourite word, I'm coming to realize... what a chapter... what a choice... But... I have to go with.... B. You've set it up perfectly....

Jaya